Bangladesh's leather industry is bracing for a 10–15% drop in rawhide collection after Eid-ul-Azha, falling to around 8 million from over 9 million last year. Despite growing global demand, exports may stumble again due to the inoperative Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Savar. Tannery owners call it the sector’s biggest obstacle, suggesting BDT 300 crore investment could revive operations. While seasonal traders continue collecting salted hides, government-fixed prices prevail. Salt preservation efforts and new export permissions offer slight relief amidst structural bottlenecks.

Sugar prices in the global market may decline in the 2025–26 season due to expected production increases in India and Brazil. BMI forecasts a 26.3% rise in Indian output, while Brazil may boost production by shifting from ethanol to sugar due to lower oil prices. Although production in Brazil and Thailand may slightly dip from earlier estimates, overall supply is set to grow. Falling prices have already been observed in global markets, with traders selling more in anticipation of further declines.

Despite nearly $9 billion in increased remittance and export income, Bangladesh’s foreign reserves have hovered around $20 billion for 11 months. Declines in foreign direct investment, aid, and long-term loans, alongside higher import and debt repayment costs, offset the gains. The dollar crisis has eased, but reserves haven’t grown. Experts stress the need for political stability and investment-friendly policies to boost reserves. Bangladesh Bank expects a $3 billion rise in June with anticipated foreign loan inflows from global institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has indicated that financial settlements could be considered as “one of the options” in dealing with relatively minor financial misconduct cases. In an interview with the Financial Times, Mansur stated that the central bank's response will be determined by the nature of the alleged actions of the accused individuals.

Mansur, who is leading Bangladesh Bank's efforts to recover assets siphoned off during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, mentioned that the bank aims to raise up to $100 million to pursue future international legal actions.

"The money was stolen," he said, stressing the moral and legal obligation of the UK government to assist in tracing and identifying the illicit assets. "Legally—and I would say morally as well—it is the UK’s responsibility to help in locating these funds," the chief advisor added.

The World Bank has maintained its forecast of 3.3% GDP growth for Bangladesh in FY2024-25, citing political instability and financial challenges as key factors. Earlier, in January, the projection was 4.1%. The Bank also revised the 2025-26 forecast to 4.9%, down from 5.4%. Meanwhile, the BBS estimates 3.97% growth for FY2024-25. Other global institutions like the IMF and ADB have also lowered their growth outlooks for Bangladesh, reflecting ongoing inflation, unrest, and weakening financial conditions.

To facilitate important and foreign trade-related transactions, especially for the pharmaceutical sector and export-import industries, authorized dealer branches of banks in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other key commercial hubs will remain partially open on June 11, despite the public holiday. According to a directive from Bangladesh Bank’s Department of Offsite Supervision, banking hours on that day will be from 10 AM to 4 PM, while transactions will be processed from 10 AM to 2 PM. Bank officials on duty that day will receive allowances as per government regulations.

Top U.S. and Chinese officials are meeting in London for high-level trade and economic talks aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice Premier He Lifeng will discuss issues including global economic trends, debt relief for developing nations, and trade practices. This marks their third meeting in under a year. Both sides have shown a willingness to stabilize ties, with the talks coming as Western nations look to reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains.

All import-export operations through Benapole Land Port will remain suspended for 10 days from June 5 to June 14 in observance of Eid-ul-Azha. However, cross-border movement of passport-holding travelers between India and Bangladesh will continue as usual.

Shamsur Rahman, President of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, confirmed that all customs and port-related activities, including trade operations, will be on pause during the holiday. Normal operations will resume on the morning of June 15.

Benapole Port Director (Traffic) Md. Shamim Hossain said enhanced security measures are in place to prevent any untoward incidents during the holiday closure. Officer-in-Charge Ibrahim Ahmed added that despite the suspension of trade, traveler movement will remain uninterrupted. Due to an expected surge in passenger traffic, immigration staff have been placed on standby to manage the rush efficiently.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has stated that a limited scope for legalizing undisclosed income—commonly referred to as black money—is being proposed as an “exit route” for individuals wishing to bring such funds into the formal economy.

Addressing the issue, he clarified that the proposal aims to help individuals who, for various reasons, have kept money unreported over the years. However, he emphasized that this is not a move to endorse the act of hiding income.

Earlier, Economic Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed remarked that if such an opportunity were to be offered, it should come with a significantly higher tax rate than in the past. “We’re not claiming this is an ideal initiative,” he noted.

Abdur Rahman Khan also mentioned that the previous provision to legalize black money by paying a 15% tax was scrapped after the new government took office. Another provision, which allows for immunity from questioning if one buys land or property while paying a slightly higher tax, is set to expire on June 30. “We have not extended this facility either,” the NBR chairman added.

Economic Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has confirmed that electricity produced by the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant will be supplied to the national grid by December this year. The construction of the 2400 MW nuclear power plant in Ruppur is progressing rapidly. He also mentioned that an agreement was signed with Nepal on October 3, 2024, under which 40 MW of hydropower will be imported at an affordable rate to meet the summer electricity demand. Furthermore, to ensure transparency and accountability in the power sector, the “Electricity and Energy Rapid Supply Enhancement Act, 2010” has been repealed. A national committee has been formed to review the agreements made under this law and to recommend changes.

As part of preparations for trade dialogue with the United States, the 2025-26 budget proposes full import duty waivers on 110 items and reduced tariffs on many more. Economic Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed stated that the proposal includes withdrawing supplementary duties on 9 items and reducing them on 442 others. Exempted goods include various yarns, nuclear reactor parts, boilers, hydraulic turbines, gas turbines, milking machines, and other dairy farm equipment. The move aims to address the nearly $6 billion trade deficit with the US.

Chief Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, in his budget speech, criticized the ruling Awami League for leading the financial sector to near ruin through systemic misgovernance. He revealed that the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio surged from 10.11% in June 2023 to 20.20% by December 2024—nearly doubling in just 18 months. To restore public trust and address structural challenges, the interim government has initiated key reforms, including the drafting of the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025 and the formation of three task forces aimed at stabilizing the sector.

Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H. Mansur, formally handed over the designs of six new currency notes to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The handover ceremony was attended by Economic Adviser Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma, and Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.

In the proposed national budget for FY 2025–26, the Chief Economic Adviser has recommended increasing duties and VAT on a range of consumer goods, including mobile phones, washing machines, LPG cylinders, and cosmetics such as lipsticks. The VAT exemption benefits for manufacturing items like washing machines, microwave ovens, blenders, juicers, irons, rice cookers, and pressure cookers have been partially reduced. VAT on plastic household items has been doubled to 15%, although environment-friendly alternatives remain exempt. The VAT exemption period for locally produced LPG cylinders has been extended, but the exemption itself has been slightly reduced. Import valuation for cosmetics used on the lips, eyes, and face has been significantly increased, potentially raising their market prices.

Economic Adviser Saleh Uddin Ahmed stated that a marginal increase in VAT on biscuits is unlikely to significantly affect the poor, though he did not justify the hike as entirely reasonable. “Bread affects everyone equally—rich and poor alike,” he said, adding that efforts are being made to keep the VAT on essential items like bread, biscuits, and cakes within tolerable limits. He also noted that the government has imported essential food items like wheat, chickpeas, soybean, and lentils to ensure food security. “When we took office, food reserves were nearly depleted. We are working to bring them to satisfactory levels,” he added. He acknowledged price fluctuations in the global market, including rising fertilizer costs and mixed trends in rice and soybean prices, calling it a significant challenge.